Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has confirmed that the government did not provide funding for the Black Stars’ upcoming international friendlies against Japan and South Korea.
The senior national team is currently in Asia as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled for next summer. Ghana will face Japan in the Kirin Cup on Friday, November 14, before travelling to Seoul to take on South Korea four days later.
In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Asante Twum explained that while the GFA informed the Ministry of Sports and Recreation about the matches, no funds were allocated for the trip.
“The games will be funded by the two teams that invited the Black Stars; we didn’t take any money from the ministry,” he said.
“Even though I know the GFA President [Kurt Okraku] has informed the sector minister of these two matches, there is no funding from their end. They gave us their blessing to go ahead with the games, but with no funding,” he added.
Regarding player compensation, Asante Twum clarified that there would be no winning bonuses for the matches.
“Yes, there will be no winning bonuses; it will just be the per diem agreed between the GFA and the players,” he said.
Nineteen players took part in the team’s first training session on Wednesday, with the remaining call-ups now joining the camp. Kick-off for Friday’s encounter against Japan is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. GMT.
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